HOW TO DO A RAVEN MATRICES

TEST
In this introduction to doing Raven Matrices Tests you will be given the following:

 An explanation of what matrices IQ tests are and how they are used
 A closer look at the different types of Raven Matrices tests
 A basic tutorial on strategies to solve Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices
Test problems, with examples

Matrices IQ tests
A matrices IQ test is a non-verbal ‘culture fair’ multiple choice IQ test, that measures your fluid
intelligence (Gf) – your reasoning and problem solving ability. Fluid intelligence is a core
component of g – your general intelligence. In each test item, the subject is asked to identify the
missing element that completes a pattern of shapes. The patterns are presented in the form of a
4×4, 3×3, or 2×2 matrix, giving the test its name. An example of a matrices test is shown here,
from Smart-kit.com.

Because of the simplicity of their use and interpretation, and their independence of language and
reading and writing skills, Matrices tests have widespread practical use – as a measure of
intelligence in the general population for both adults and children, for job applicants as a
psychometric test, for applicants to the armed forces, and for assessing clinical (e.g. Autism)
populations.

Matrices IQ tests measure fluid

intelligence (Gf)
Fluid intelligence – is the ability to reason and solve problems using new information without
relying on previously acquired knowledge and skills. The ability to deal with novelty, to adapt
one’s thinking ‘fluidly’ to a new, unfamiliar problem. Fluid intelligence is contrasted
with crystallized intelligence which is previously acquired knowledge and skills that have
become ‘crystallized’ with experience. Matrices IQ tests measure fluid intelligence. Because
there is a high correlation between fluid intelligence and general intelligence (g), matrices tests
are often used as a general IQ test – for overall cognitive ability.
Raven Matrices Test
Matrices tests were originally developed by John C. Raven back in 1936. The Matrices are
available in three different forms for participants of different ability:

 Standard Progressive Matrices: These were the original form of the matrices, first published
in 1938. The 60 problems in this test get increasingly difficult, demanding greater cognitive
capacity to solve .
 Coloured Progressive Matrices: Designed for children aged 5 through 11 years-of-age, the
elderly, and mentally and physically impaired individuals. This test contains questions from
the standard matrices, as well as other test items.
 Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM): The advanced form of the matrices test contains
48 problems. These items are appropriate for adults and adolescents of above-average
intelligence.

“Parallel” forms of the standard and coloured progressive matrices were published in 1998 – to
address the problem of the Raven’s Matrices being too well-known in the general population.

Cattell Culture Fair Intelligence Test

(CFIT) – III
The CFIT (or ‘Cattell’) IQ test has four kinds of problems – series completion, classification,
matrices and conditions. These should all be self-evident for the easier problems below. For the
‘conditions’ type problem there are different elements such as “dot”, “circle”, “square”, and a set
of relationships that need to be figured out – such as “inside”, “outside”, “not”, “and”. The object
is to figure out the something like “dot inside circle and outside square” (making 3 the only viable
answer below).
High IQ Societies & Matrices IQ Tests
Generally, there are two ways to prove that you qualify for Mensa: either take the Mensa test, or
submit a qualifying test score from another test. There are a large number of intelligence tests that
are “approved”, including the Cattell Culture Fair Test (IQ score 148). The Triple Nine Society, a
high IQ society, accepts the Advanced Progressive Matrices for one of their admission tests.
They require a score of at least 32 out of 36 on or before December 31, 1999 on the RAPM.
The International Society for Philosophical Enquiry (ISPE) and International High IQ
Society also accept the RAPM as a qualification for admission. The Triple Nine Society is a high
IQ society that uses the CFIT-III as one of their tests for admission. A combined raw score of 85
on forms A and B is required for admission; however, the Triple Nine Society (TNS) does not
accept this score if taken after September, 2008. Also, the TNS accepts the Cattell Intelligence
(verbal) test, Scale IIIB, qualifying score of 173, but again, not if taken after September, 2008

How To Use Strategies To Get A High

Score On A Raven Matrices Test
Each Raven test has the same format: a 3 x 3 matrix in which the bottom right entry is missing,
and must be selected from 8 alternatives. Solving Raven’s matrices type problems essentially
requires figuring out the underlying rules that explain the progression of shapes. Here is an
example to try to figure out:

.
The correct answer is 5. The variations of the entries in the rows and columns of this problem can
be explained by 3 rules.
1. Each row contains 3 shapes (triangle, square, diamond).
2. Each row has 3 bars (black, striped, clear).
3. The orientation of each bar is the same within a row, but varies from row to row
(vertical, horizontal, diagonal).
From these 3 rules, the answer can be inferred (5).

Raven’s Advanced Progressive

Matrices Test: The Underlying Rule Set
John Raven designed all the problems for his IQ tests to be based on a limited number of rules
making up a well-defined rule-set. Each problem might have combinations of different rules or
different instances of the same rule. In order to solve Raven’s Advanced matrices problems
effectively, you will benefit from learning these rules.

Here are some of the key rules:

1. Constant in a row. This is ‘rule 3’ in the matrix example above – the orientation of the bar is
the same in each row, but changes down a column.
2. Quantitative progression. An increase or decrease between adjacent entries in size, position
or number. An example of this rule is shown below:

The correct answer is 3. The number of black squares in each entry increases in the top row from
1 to 2 to 3. Similarly, the number of black squares in the first column decreases from 3 to 2 to 1.
3. Figure addition or subtraction. A figure from one column is added to or subtracted from
another column to produce the third. An example is given below:
 Correct answer 8
An extended tutorial with some additional rules is accessible with the i3 Mindware IQ app. This
includes links to two scientifically valid, standardized matrices IQ tests based closely on the
Raven tests. This is a cognitive neuroscience desktop app designed for IQ training.

What is a high IQ score on a matrix

IQ test?
Your score on a matrix IQ test will give you a ‘culture fair’ measure of your IQ level. IQ scores
are distributed like a ‘bell curve’ around an average of 100. An IQ score of >115 is considered a
high IQ. An IQ score of 130 is Mensa standard.

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Related

Valid, Standardized IQ TestsAugust 16, 2018In “IQ Tests”

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 15.12.2014
 HighIQPro, IQ Tests, Mindware Training, Tests and Self-Quantification
Matrices IQ test, Matrices test, Raven matrices, Raven test, strategy-capacity training




 


 What Is IQ and Why Is It Desirable?

 Increasing IQ with Brain Training Apps Review

Mark Ashton Smith, Ph.D.

I am a cognitive scientist with a joint PhD in cognitive psychology and neuroscience from the Center of
the Neural Basis of Cognition (Carnegie Mellon/Pittsburgh, USA). For a number of years I was a
researcher and lecturer at the University of Cambridge, UK. At IQ Mindware we develop brain training
interventions to improve IQ, executive functioning, resilience, emotion regulation and brain health.

20 Comments

Is the ans # 2

Janet Horton 25.07.2015

not all have answers

Anonymous 05.08.2015

I would like to know what the result means “She has an IQ that lays on the border of MMH”
I am a teacher and one of my students was tested by a school pshyciatrist. I must discuss it with the
parents but do not know what that statement means
Thanks

Ellen 30.08.2015


Is 5
||
=
=
=

C 23.09.2015

MMH – would be Mild-Moderate Mentally Handicapped

Ananymous 24.09.2015

the answer to the one at the top is 5

Nick 10.10.2015

Hmm actually the last question with the triangles… Although it says the answer is 8. The horizontal
and vertical additions should negate and you therefore 7 would be more correct. But then again that
may be thinking too deep and unnecessarily.

Anonymous 08.12.2015

last question, all contain black, answer #7 has no black

Anonymous 02.01.2016


The correct answer to the first question is 2: 2 up and down straight thin lines with three curved lines
intersecting. I an provide an explanation if needed.

Robert 06.01.2016

No wait. 5 does have an extra logical edge.

Robert 06.01.2016

The answer to the first question is defiantly option 2.

Here’s the proof.
_____
STEP 1
……………………..
Row 1 Horizontal = 1,3,2
Row 2 Horizontal = 3,2,1
Row 3 Horizontal = 2,1,?
…………………….
-> ANSWER must have three horizontal lines
Options are (two, three, four, five, eight)
_______
STEP 2
………………….
Row 1 vertical = 2,1,3
Row 2 vertical = 3,2,1
Row 3 vertical = 1,3, ?
…………………
-> ANSWER must have two vertical lines
Options still (two, three, four, five, eight)
______
STEP 3
………………..
look at the vertical (downwards) direction of those boomerang arrows.
……………….
Row 1 vertical = Left, none, up
Row 2 vertical = Up, none, left
Row 3 vertical = none, left, ?
……………..
 -> ANSWER must have up facing boomerang arrows
Options one and two
–>> process of elimination. Answer can’t be option 1 because it does not meet step 1 or 2. The only
logical answer is option 2.
Note: I tried imagining it as a slot machine and how each pieces moved one or two places between
vertical row 1,2,3 but couldn’t seem to pick a pattern. I think there might be something there also?

Mr Aaron 09.02.2016

Aaron, I think your Step 3 misses the real pattern. In addition to your first two Steps, which are correct,
each type of shape (line, block, curve) must appear once in the vertical component per row and once in
the horizontal component per row. In the bottom row, lines have not appeared (yet) in the vertical and
blocks have not appeared (yet) in the horizontal. Thus, answer #5 as as identified long ago

Fantanaman 17.02.2016